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NRF|SAAO Cape Town Open Night
March 22 @ 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
The NRF|SAAO Open Nights in Cape Town take place on the second and fourth Saturday of every month.
All Open Nights will start with a presentation on topics of astronomy or related science fields. Visitors will then be given an introduction to the history of the observatory, library, museum, and the 120 year-old McClean telescope. If the weather permits, stargazing will take place with McClean and smaller telescopes.
Please note that guests are only allowed entry into our premises from 7:30pm.
Free entry for kids aged 6 & under.
Please email cptbookings@saao.ac.za or call +27 21 447 0025 if you have any queries regarding bookings.
Speaker: Francois Campher
Francois Campher is a first year MSc student at The University of Cape Town, currently working on detecting and studying the astrophysical parameters of compact binaries and other gravitational wave sources in large transient survey databases using machine learning techniques. He is also the podcast manager for The Cosmic Savannah, hosted by Dr Jacinta Delhaize, Dr Tshiamiso Makwela and Dr Daniel Cunnama.
Abstract: Cataclysmic Variables and the Future of Gravitational Wave Astronomy with LISA
Cataclysmic Variable (CV) stars are some of the most fascinating binary systems in the universe, where a white dwarf strips material from a companion star, creating dramatic outbursts and high-energy phenomena. These systems are not just astrophysical curiosities; they are key laboratories for studying accretion, binary evolution, and even the sources of gravitational waves. While traditional telescopes reveal much about their light, future space-based observatories like the LISA mission will allow us to study CV stars through an entirely new lens—by detecting the “ripples in spacetime” they produce. LISA, the first space-based gravitational wave detector, will open a new window into the dynamics of compact binaries, helping us uncover the hidden population of CVs and their role in shaping the cosmos.